Marcie M. Jensen of CampRunaPup.com wrote a recent article I used on the site. Here is a longer one about puppy care.I like their blog at http://camprunapup.com/wp — Rosana

A new puppy is so exciting! It’s like getting a big chief notebook and being the first one to draw in it. Puppies are babies, and as such, require some effort on your part.

The first thing you need to buy is a crate. It drives me crazy when people tell me they “just can’t” put their puppy in a crate. Yet, these same people have no problem putting their human baby in a play pen or car seat. Why do they do this? To keep them safe! That’s exactly what a crate does for your puppy. A dog is a den animal and needs its own den. The size of the crate for most puppies should be about 36″ x 23″ x 26″, but that may vary depending on your puppy’s size. When your puppy is not under your direct supervision, it should be in its crate, or “house” if you prefer.

A puppy should be fed three times a day. Strangely enough, your puppy will tell you when it’s ready to eat lunch. Put the puppy’s food down, leave it there for 15 minutes, and then pick it up. A dog should not be fed like a cat and nibble all day.

Housebreaking your puppy can be accomplished quite easily. Early in the morning, probably around 5 a.m., get your puppy up out of the crate and take it where you want it to go potty. Put it down and wait WITH the puppy until it eliminates. The minute it does, start the parade! Give it lots of praise and pats, and maybe even a treat or two. Take your puppy back inside and feed it. Put it back in the crate for 10-15 minutes and then take the puppy outside again. Same program: it goes, you cheer.

Now it’s play time! Play with your puppy as long as you can. Show it during this time what is appropriate for it to chew on. When the puppy grabs the corner of your Oriental rug, make a soft scolding sound and distract it with a puppy toy. If you have to run errands or go to work, take the puppy out one more time and wait for it to go potty. Then it’s inside and back in the crate. A 12 week-old puppy should be able to stay in its crate for about three hours. The rule of thumb is one hour per month of age.

If you keep a diary of when your puppy goes potty, you will easily see a pattern within three days. This is very easy to do since you are with the puppy when it goes potty, and not just sending it outside. One last note on potty training: If you take your puppy outside for the night at about 10:00 or 10:30 they should be able to last until 5:00 or 5:30.

Now every time you put the puppy in the crate, it’s no big deal, just like putting the baby in their crib for a nap. Taking the puppy out is no big deal either. The minute you take the puppy out of the crate, pick it up and take it to go potty.

The crate or “den” is a wonderful way to build a wonderful positive relationship with your pet. Since it is safe in its crate, your things are safe in your house. When you come home, there is never a reason to scold or get upset. Your interaction with your puppy is always positive. Your puppy learns to look forward to you coming home.

A short story here about puppies and crates. Several years ago I had a client who simply could not bring himself to put his young dog in a crate. He had just bought a brand new house and insisted the pup should enjoy it. And, enjoy it she did. The first week she enjoyed chewing on all the lower kitchen cabinets. The next week she enjoyed chewing on all the lower window sills. The next week she enjoyed tearing up the brand new carpet in the living room. The next week she enjoyed gnawing the corner off the new coffee table. The next week he put her in the bathroom where she managed to get those cabinets doors to match the kitchen cabinets. The next week when I came over, he had purchased a crate, and there she sat, happy as a clam! Of course, this was after thousands of dollars of damage had been done.

(Then there was the guy who wouldn’t consider a crate. After his dog did damage to the home, the dog was put to sleep. I guess he thought that was a kinder, gentler way to solve the problem. )

So, there you have it. A positive way of bringing up puppy.

For more on crate training puppies, see my page on the topic by clicking the link. Also see my main page on potty training puppies here. And again, Marcie’s website is http://camprunapup.com/wp

The rule of thumb that she gives for how long a puppy can stay in a crate would NOT mean that a 10-month-old puppy could stay in for 10 hours. In my opinion, that is too long and you should have a neighbor, friend, or pet care person give the pup a break during the day.